Hi I hVE a xj40 1993 fitted with Pirelli p4000 225/65 15 zr 99w tyres. I need to replace them but know the Pirell's are not about anymore. I@ve heard vintage tyres do them but they are so expensive. is there any alternative? I have asked around most tyre companies but with no joy. I am bassed in the uk.

thankyou
tony

 

Use 225/60x15 and you'll find many more choices

Cheers
DD

 

Doug's suggestion is good and will result in only a slight variance in speedometer accuracy (about 3% I think). I don't know if the use of non-manufacturer-spec tires may be an MOT failure though.

There are even more tire choices in the 225/60-16 size, so if you can find an affordable set of 16-inch wheels from an X300, they may save you money in the long run. That's what I did on our '93 (check my photos to see what they look like - they're the "Dimple" model wheel).

Cheers,

Don

 

You had better buy Z rated tires. The lateral force of 5000 pounds moving sideways absolutely destroys the sidewalls of lesser tires. It makes the sidewalls appear to be dry rotted.

 

Are there even any current manufacturers of 15" Z-rated tires (or V-Rated, for that matter) with sizes for these cars?

Last time I checked, there weren't any for my '92s 205/70-15. I think H-rated was the closest I could get. And that's a pretty popular tire size to begin with. I doubt you'd be able to find any (other than an overpriced set of NOS P4000s that have been sitting in a warehouse for a decade)

When these cars were new, it wasn't so bad. Good tires are getting harder and harder to find, especially if you want specs close to the original tire. There just isn't demand for them anymore, when performance cars are using 18+ inch wheels.

Nick

 

In the $400-450 each price range you can still get a W-rated Michelin XWX in a few 15" sizes

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/bran...FUdrfgodVq8P2Q


AFAIK Pirelli still makes a 235/60x15 V or W rated tire for about $300 each....but availability is spotty. I think they manufacture them small batches

Pirelli P600

Those are the only ones I'm aware of

Cheers
DD

 

Unless you're actually planning on 150 mph driving I wouldn't worry about the speed rating too much.

The higher speed rating 15" tires have been almost non-existent for quite a few years now and the lower speed rated tires are what virtually everyone is using these days. Over my 18 years on various Jag forums there certainly hasn't been any mention of bad experiences...nor have I had any problems when I've stepped down on speed rating.

But....

Do stay with a 97-or higher *load* rating if at all possible. This should give you the casing strength you need.

Cheers
DD

 

You can also go with 215 size tires, which makes it a lot more cost effective. I'm in Ohio US, and can get a brand new set of generics I that size for just under 300 dollars. For some reason 225 tires are a lot more expensive. Both of my 93 xj6 have 215s and the drive great.